Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
ADVERSE REACTIONS In addition to its effect on the blood-forming elements (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS sections), thiotepa may cause other adverse reactions.
General: Fatigue, weakness.
Febrile reaction and discharge from a subcutaneous lesion may occur as the result of breakdown of tumor tissue.
Hypersensitivity Reactions: Allergic reactions - rash, urticaria, laryngeal edema, asthma, anaphylactic shock, wheezing.
Local Reactions: Contact dermatitis, pain at the injection site.
Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia.
Renal: Dysuria, urinary retention.
There have been rare reports of chemical cystitis or hemorrhagic cystitis following intravesical, but not parenteral administration of thiotepa.
Respiratory: Prolonged apnea has been reported when succinylcholine was administered prior to surgery, following combined use of thiotepa and other anticancer agents.
It was theorized that this was caused by decrease of pseudocholinesterase activity caused by the anticancer drugs.
WARNINGS Death has occurred after intravesical administration, caused by bone-marrow depression from systematically absorbed drug.
Death from septicemia and hemorrhage has occurred as a direct result of hematopoietic depression by thiotepa.
Thiotepa is highly toxic to the hematopoietic system.
A rapidly falling white blood cell or platelet count indicates the necessity for discontinuing or reducing the dosage of thiotepa.
Weekly blood and platelet counts are recommended during therapy and for at least 3 weeks after therapy has been discontinued.
Like all medications, Thiotepa can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: